Apitherapy

From Latin apis bee for, the apitherapy is as old as beekeeping itself. It consists in using products harvested, processed or secreted by the bee - the honey , the propolis , the pollen , the royal jelly and venom - for dietary and therapeutic.

Since the early 1950s, studies around the world have a better understanding of the virtues traditionally attributed to honey and propolis, and discover the benefits previously unknown pollen and royal jelly . However, the application most clearly therapeutic bee products - and one of the oldest - still use bee venom to treat chronic rheumatic and arthritic certain inflammatory diseases such as tendinitis and bursitis , and the MS .

This is what it will be mainly discussed in this sheet. It deals with other products ( honey , propolis , pollen , royal jelly ) around the site.

Approach and modern millennium
Knowledge of the medicinal use of bee venom back to antiquity. Chinese texts dating back 2000 years to mention. Likewise, Hippocrates (460-377 BC.), The father of medicine, considered the venom as an ideal remedy for treating arthritis and joint problems. The XIX th century, the Austrian physician Phillip Terc, a pioneer of apitherapy in modern medicine, used bee venom to treat rheumatic diseases. In its report published in 1888 ( Report about a peculiar connection entre le beestings and rheumatism ), he reported no complications occurred during the 25 years during which he has treated over 500 patients suffering from rheumatism , and performed more 39 000 treatments.

Charles Mraz is also considered a great master of apitherapy. He has practiced for over 60 years both as a beekeeper and therapist in the state of Vermont in the United States, and transmitted its know-how around the world until his death in 1999. In 1928, Franz Kretchy has developed a technique to circumvent the direct application of the venom from bee stings by injecting a solution using a syringe. Although the approach is controversial, it has continued to attract interest. Several organizations, which include individuals as well as organizations involved in apitherapy and related fields, including the American Apitherapy Apitherapy.com and Society, ensure to transmit the most recent discoveries in the field (see Sites of interest) .

Data on the effectiveness of apitherapy based almost entirely on anecdotal evidence. There is no scientific studies have demonstrated that the therapeutic effects of a truly convincing . However, recent research has identified, in part, the venom components that are responsible for its action. It does contain some anti-inflammatory agents, including adolapin and melittin. Known to be 100 times more potent than hydrocortisone, melittin stimulates the production of cortisol, a steroid hormone that also acts as an anti-inflammatory. In general, there is agreement that these components have a tonic and stimulant, they strengthen the immune system and help to detoxify the body.

Allergy to bee venom
An estimated 2% (some sources say up to 5%) of the population is allergic to bee venom. However, in rare cases, this allergy can be fatal. Before initiating therapy, it is best to undergo an allergy test. It is also recommended to always have within reach an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen ®, Twinject ®).

Dart or syringe?
Venom was administered either directly by bee stings , or using a syringe containing a solution of diluted venom. The traditional method, which is still practiced today, is to file one at a time using a clamp, live bees on the subject's skin. They are particularly placed on painful areas or on acupuncture points. Once the stinger penetrates the skin, the bee loses part of his abdomen and died in a few hours. To circumvent the direct application of bees, various techniques are used to extract the venom of bees without them dying.

How many injections?
To treat tendonitis , for example, two or three sessions of two to ten bites suffice. For a serious disorder, such as multiple sclerosis , treatment may continue over a long period of time and require two treatments per week for 25 to 30 bites each time. Since the apitherapy is not an officially recognized technical, to know the "dosage", you will have to rely on someone who has already experienced the approach. It is also possible to contact a "therapist" through one of the groups of followers of apitherapy (see landmarks).

Other modes of administration
There are several preparations of bee venom , in the form of creams, lotions, tablets, drops or lozenges. They are used to cure various ailments, including the arthritis , inflammation of the tendons and joints and skin ailments. Until the 1960s, bee venom was available in ampoules in the United States, but the authorities have restricted the sale. On the European market, there are more than a dozen homeopathic products containing bee products. The Chinese use bee venom to treat certain pellets respiratory disorders ( bronchitis , asthma ) and arthritis.

Apipuncture
For the past 30 years, the Chinese, among others, combine the acupuncture with bee venom to treat epilepsy , incontinence and arthritic disorders usually treated with live bees. The method is to plunge the needle into the venom solution or drop some solution on the acupuncture point before stimulation. According Rock Domerego biologist and therapist, President of the European Association of Apitherapy, it is now possible to increase the action of acupuncture needles by replacing traditional bee stings to relieve ailments as serious as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease But, again, these claims have not been corroborated by official science.

With regard to applications other bee products (skin disorders with pulmonary disorders, through the PMS and depression ), they are not supported by scientific studies. However, in many cases, the use of bee products is traditionally known for a long time. See in this regard the site of Dr Yves Donadieu.